2021 Mazda CX-5 vs 2021 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

2021 Mazda CX-5

#6 in Mid-Size SUVs

2021 Subaru Forester

#3 in Mid-Size SUVs

2021 Toyota RAV4

#4 in Hybrid SUVs

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Select style

Carbon Edition AWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
CX-5 Carbon Edition AWD	24	30	$29,481	$30,355
CX-5 Carbon Edition FWD	25	31	$28,122	$28,955
CX-5 Carbon Edition Turbo AWD	22	27	$31,232	$32,160
CX-5 Carbon Edition Turbo FWD	23	28	$29,874	$30,760
CX-5 Grand Touring AWD	24	30	$30,718	$31,960
CX-5 Grand Touring FWD	25	31	$29,374	$30,560
CX-5 Grand Touring Reserve AWD	22	27	$34,008	$35,385
CX-5 Signature AWD	22	27	$36,044	$37,505
CX-5 Sport AWD	24	30	$26,270	$26,770
CX-5 Sport FWD	25	31	$24,896	$25,370
CX-5 Touring AWD	24	30	$27,689	$28,510
CX-5 Touring FWD	25	31	$26,331	$27,110

Select style

CVT

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Forester CVT	26	33	$23,375	$24,795
Forester Limited CVT	26	33	$29,337	$31,395
Forester Premium CVT	26	33	$26,120	$27,795
Forester Sport CVT	26	33	$27,591	$29,395
Forester Touring CVT	26	33	$32,541	$34,895

Select style

Adventure AWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
RAV4 Adventure AWD	25	33	$31,187	$33,355
RAV4 Hybrid LE AWD	41	38	$26,791	$28,500
RAV4 Hybrid Limited AWD	41	38	$35,091	$37,330
RAV4 Hybrid XLE AWD	41	38	$28,008	$29,795
RAV4 Hybrid XLE Premium AWD	41	38	$30,833	$32,800
RAV4 Hybrid XSE AWD	41	38	$32,667	$34,750
RAV4 LE AWD	27	34	$25,853	$27,650
RAV4 LE FWD	27	35	$24,544	$26,250
RAV4 Limited AWD	25	33	$33,829	$36,180
RAV4 Limited FWD	27	35	$32,520	$34,780
RAV4 TRD Off Road AWD	25	32	$33,643	$35,980
RAV4 XLE AWD	27	33	$27,063	$28,945
RAV4 XLE FWD	28	35	$25,754	$27,545
RAV4 XLE Premium AWD	27	33	$29,593	$31,650
RAV4 XLE Premium FWD	28	35	$28,284	$30,250
RAV4 Prime SE	N/A	N/A	$35,956	$38,250
RAV4 Prime XSE	N/A	N/A	$39,082	$41,575

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$29,481

$23,375

$31,187

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$30,355

$24,795

$33,355

Monthly Payment Estimate

$506 / month

$413 / month

$556 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.7

Read Our Full Review

6.8

Read Our Full Review

6.5

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 crossover has some priorities out of order; it doles out fine handling while it delivers a skimpy back seat.

A recent Best Car To Buy winner, the 2021 Subaru Forester notches big wins in utility and safety as one of our most recommended crossover SUVs.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 is the meat-and-potatoes crossover for many buyers; the RAV4 Prime supplies the all-electric range.

TCC Likes

Looks good inside and out
Taut ride and handling
Available turbo power

Remarkable value
Remarkable efficiency
Remarkable space

Performance plug-in hybrid
Great exterior looks
Wide customization possibilities

TCC Dislikes

Turbo lag
Moderate acceleration in base version
Cramped back seat

Not especially powerful
Looks haven’t changed much
It’s not free...

Interior is compromised
Prime priced prime near $40,000
Buzzy base inline-4

Fuel Economy

City

24 mpg

26 mpg

25 mpg

Highway

30 mpg

33 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Small SUV 4WD

Interior Dimensions

Second Hip Room (in)

55.3

53.6

47.7

Passenger Volume (ft³)

103.6

111.9

98.9

Front Shoulder Room (in)

57.1

58.2

57.8

Second Head Room (in)

39.6

39.5

Second Shoulder Room (in)

54.8

57.2

56.4

Passenger Capacity

Front Leg Room (in)

43.3

Front Hip Room (in)

55.2

54.1

54.3

Second Leg Room (in)

39.6

39.4

37.8

Front Head Room (in)

39.3

41.2

39.5

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

62.8

61.6

62.6

Liftover Height (in)

32.4

28.4

Min Ground Clearance (in)

7.5

8.7

8.6

Length, Overall (in)

179.1

182.1

181.5

Height, Overall (in)

65.3

67.5

68.6

Track Width, Rear (in)

62.8

61.8

63.3

Wheelbase (in)

106.2

105.1

105.9

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

72.5

71.5

73.4

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)

30.9

31.1

37.6

Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)

41.3

43.3

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)

30.9

31.1

37.6

Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)

51.2

Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)

32.4

34.8

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)

59.6

74.3

69.8

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)

35.7

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)

70.3

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.9

11.2

11.1

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.7

11.6

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

15.3

16.6

14.5

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

35.4

37.4

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Front Tire Size

P225/55VR19

P225/60HR17

P235/55HR19

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P225/55VR19

P225/60HR17

P235/55HR19

Rear Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

2000

1500

3500

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

2000

1500

3500

Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)

2000

1500

3500

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

200

150

350

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

200

150

350

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3691

3449

3655

Wheels

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Steel

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

19 X 7

17 X 7

19 X 7.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Steel

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

19 X 7

17 X 7

19 X 7.5

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

100

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

550

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

186 @ 4000

176 @ 4400

184 @ 5000

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.5 L/152

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

187 @ 6000

182 @ 5800

203 @ 6600

Engine Type

Regular Unleaded I-4

Regular Unleaded H-4

Regular Unleaded I-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Port/Direct Injection

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

4.62

3.70

3.18

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.45

1.95

Trans Type

Drivetrain

All Wheel

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.71

1.22

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.89

3.69

4.01

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.02

3.03

Trans Order Code

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

1.46

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

CVT w/OD

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.60

1.00

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.55

3.60 - 0.75

5.25

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.56

0.81

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.67

Summary

Vehicle Name

Mazda CX-5

Subaru Forester

Toyota RAV4

Body Style

i-ACTIV AWD Sport Utility

Sport Utility

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Double Wishbone

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Double Wishbone

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

6.8

6.1

6.3

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

2021 Mazda CX-5

2021 CX-5 selection looks good
Lease: From $222 for 36 months
Rebates: $750 loyalty bonus available
Financing: From 0.9% APR for 60 months

Get Your Price

2021 Subaru Forester

2021 Forester selection looks great
Lease: From $229 for 36 months
Rebates: No factory rebate; dealer discounting possible
Finance: From 0% APR for 48 months

Get Your Price

2021 Toyota RAV4

2021 RAV4 is here
Lease: From $289/mo.
Finance: From 1.9% APR
Rebate: Up to $1,250 cash

Get Your Price

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